Dolphin Rescue

Deon Van Der Merwe of Stellenbosh carefully cradles the baby bottlenose dolphin at Herolds Bay before it was released at sea by NSRI. Picture Adele Hertzog.

Hennie Niehaus, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:

“At approximately 11h00 on old year’s day NSRI Wilderness volunteers responded to Herolds Bay following reports of a dolphin beached.

“On arrival on-scene we found a young bottle nose dolphin that members of George Fire and Rescue Service and lifeguards had placed into a rock pool in an effort to keep the dolphin alive. The dolphin had been found washed up on the beach and a large crowd of concerned onlookers had gathered all offering advice as to what should be done with the dolphin.

“The dolphin appeared to be almost lifeless but we carried the dolphin from the rock pool and placed the dolphin in our sea rescue craft Serendipity and literally the first wave we went over, as we headed out to sea with the dolphin on-board, the dolphin appeared to come alive and showed some enthusiasm.

“We dropped the dolphin off about 1 nautical mile out to sea and the dolphin then proceeded to race around our sea rescue craft, about 4 or 5 times, appearing to do a display before finally heading off into the ocean.”